Everyone is thinking about recruiting. Colorado has become the hub of all things softball for a couple of weeks each year because so many players and parents are hoping to be seen by college coaches. Skippers come out in great numbers to evaluate and find the players who will make up their future rosters.
Over the years, I’ve done dozens of recruiting seminars and have tried to share some of what I have learned with softball players and their families as they embark on this process.
There are many things that I hope these players and families will take away from these sessions but none is more important that what I call the “14 Commandments.”
What are the Commandments supposed to accomplish? To help the next wave of potential softball players avoid making the same mistakes others have made.
8. Look like a ballplayer!
When a player shows up at the park, she’s showing up for a job interview. How would you expect someone to dress when they come to interview for a job with your company? Professionally, right?
Please look the part. Wear your uniform the right way. What are some keys?
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Jersey tucked in
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Shoes tied
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Socks pulled up
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If at all possible, shoes that match team colors
Eye black is a tool to be used to keep the sun from reflecting off your face into your eyes. It is not war paint! Having eye black smeared all over your face does not make you look like a bad@$$, It makes you look like a clown.
I have heard more than one college coach comment on the fact that if a player worked as hard on their game as they do on their war paint that they might be pretty good players.
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wisconsin and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
